Session 1

Warmup- skillful footwork and killer moves (5 minutes)
Ping Pongs, Squigglies, Pull-Push   across the field-top of the footboth feet, inside/outside-both feet, circle turns, scissor behind and infront, V cutbacks,

 

1) Tag---Every child dribbles a soccer ball a 15yd x 20yd space while trying to tag other players with

their hand. Players cannot leave their own ball. Have them keep count of how many people they have

tagged and, if playing twice in a row, see if players can tag more people than they did in the first game.

Variation 1: Players must tag other players on their knees. (6 minutes)

 

2) Free Dribble---In the same space as above, everyone with a ball, use inside, outside, and sole of the

foot. Have players dribble with speed (laces/instep dribble), change direction (“spin in” with inside of

foot and “spin out” with outside of foot), and perform moves. Coach calls out moves or changes in

direction and sets the pace as the manipulator of the session. Kids carry the ball towards someone and try

a move. Variation 1: As players get comfortable, coach can walk around and put pressure on players as

they are performing dribbling tasks. This adds fun and interaction. (8 minutes)

 

3) Knock Out---In same space as previous activity, have players dribble balls while trying to knock other

player’s balls outside of the grid. Players can never leave their own ball. If their ball gets knocked out

have them retrieve it quickly and get back into the game. (You may wish to have them perform a skills

task before re-entering such as 10 sole of the foot touches or juggling 5 times). (8 minutes)

 

4) Shield-Steal---Two players (partners) with one ball. One player starts with the ball and, on the coach’s command, her partner tries to

steal the ball from her. Play 30-45 second matches. Whoever has the ball at the end of the time allotment, receives a point. Play many matches. If ball goes out of bounds, one of the players must get it back into play quickly. Coaching points: Show shielding technique with body sideways on to opponent, arm providing

protection, ball on outside foot, knees bent, turning as defender attacks, using feel to understand where defender is going. Fix technical shielding errors throughout this activity and make sure

entire group knows how to properly shield. Field size same as previous activity. (8 minutes)

 

5) Small Sided Scrimmage---In a 20yd x 25yd field, play a 4v4 (5V5) match. Set up two fields with a 5 yd

space between them in order to keep the majority of your team playing. (30 minutes)

 

Session 2

 

Warmup- Skillful footwork, killer moves 5 minutes

 

1) Shadow Dribble---One player with a ball and another player behind them with a ball as well.

The player in front can go anywhere in the 20x20 yard box and the player behind must try to

keep as close to them as possible and follow where they are going and what they are doing. The

leader determines where they are going and the player who is the shadow tries to keep up with

them. Then reverse the roles. Players can use both feet to start, then can choose to use one foot,

then the other. Variation 1: Now the leader adds in moves while they are dribbling and the

shadow player must do the same. (6 minutes)

 

2) Snake---In the same space as above, have all players dribble their soccer balls, except for 2-3

players (the snake). The snake players hold hands or lock arms and work together to tag the other

players. The players dribbling the balls try to avoid getting tagged by the snake. If they are

tagged, they join hands or lock arms with the snake. The snake grows until all players are part of

the snake. The snake must work together and stay connected…they cannot break into little parts.

Encourage fun by having the snake hiss. (8 minutes)

 

3) Gates---In a 20x25 yard grid, set up many pairs of cones

(with roughly 2 yards in between pairs) all around the playing area. These pairs serve as gates or small mini-goals. Players

each have a ball and must dribble through the gate in order to score. Players must count how many goals they score; when playing a second time, ask them if they can beat their score by

one goal. Coaches can vary this by asking players to dribble with left foot or right foot. If players end up dribbling back and forth through only one goal, introduce a rule to protect against this. (8 minutes)

 

4) Gates with Bandits---Same game as above, but add 2 or more bandits (without soccer balls)

who try to steal soccer balls from the other players. If bandits are successful and steal soccer

balls, they are no longer bandits. Players who lose their soccer balls become bandits! Play

multiple 1-2 minute games. Play is continuous for the 1-2 minute period. Players who have

possession of a soccer ball at the end of time are awarded a point. (8 minutes)

 

5) Small Sided Scrimmage---In a 20yd x 25yd field, play a 4v4 (5V5) match. Set up two fields with a

5 yd space between them in order to keep the majority of your team playing. (30 minutes)

Session 3

 

 

 

Warmup- Skillful footwork, killer moves 5 minutes

Session 3

 

Warmup- Skillful footwork, killer moves 5 minutes

 

 

 

1) Ball Tag---In a 20x25 yard space, similar to other tag games except players try to tag others with their

soccer ball, by kicking it at another player’s feet or ball. Have them keep count of how many times they

kick their soccer ball and tag another person. Variation 1: If the players tag the coach, they are awarded

10 or 20 points. If the players tag other selected players, they can be awarded 50 or 100 points etc. (6

minutes)

 

 

 

2) Team Ball Tag---Split into two teams. One team (the Taggers) is trying to tag the players on the other

team by kicking their soccer ball at them below their knee or on their soccer ball. They keep track of how

many times they tag the other team; after each game the coach can help them add up their numbers. Then

the other team gets a chance to do the same thing. In each game, only one team is designated as the

Taggers. The other team is trying to keep away and shield their soccer balls. Variation 1: Can only have

the teams tag the other team’s soccer balls. (8 minutes)

 

 

 

3) Soccer Marbles---In the same space as the previous two activities, players start in pairs, each with a

ball. One player plays out their ball (using the inside of the foot) and the partner passes their own ball in

an attempt to strike the ball their partner played out. Players should keep track of how many times they hit

their partner’s ball. Variation 1: Once players understand this game, make it fast paced by having the

players take turn at trying to hit each other’s ball without ever stopping. If player 2 misses player 1’s ball,

then player 1 immediately runs to their own ball and tries to hit player 2’s ball (player 2 does not get to

touch his ball after missing player 1’s ball). After player 1 has a chance, then player 2 immediately tries to

hit player 1’s ball right back. etc. etc. This game is continuous and players should keep score. Hint: If 2

balls are very close to each other a player should kick their ball hard at the other ball so when they hit it, it

is more difficult for the other to hit their ball back. Variation 2: Three players start the game in a triangle,

ten giant steps apart. They take turns trying to hit another player’s ball. Number one goes first and so on.

They keep score, and the first to ten points wins. If they hit two balls with one shot, they get two points.

(8 minutes)

 

 

 

4) Clean Your Backyard---In a 20x25 yard field, break group

into two teams and have each team stay only on their half of the field. Place a 6 yard buffer zone between halves that no one can enter or cross. Each player needs a ball. Place three small (3yd) goals at the far end of each side of the field. Have both teams shoot balls at the other team’s goals in an attempt to score through any one of the 3 small goals (below knee height).

Players can only enter the buffer zone to retrieve a ball that has stopped inside. Otherwise they cannot enter the buffer zone or go into the other team’s half. Balls get recycled naturally in the game. This is a competition and teams need to keep score. Play 2 or 3 games and have teams re-strategize between each game. Teams can play defense, though no hands allowed. Options: Shots with laces are awarded 2 points. Variation 1: Allow teams to defend with hands as well. Variation 2: Take out the buffer zone and play a normal game except with 3 goals at each end. (8 minutes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) Small Sided Scrimmage---In a 20yd x 25yd field, play a 4v4 (5v5) match. Set up two fields with a 5 yd

space between them in order to keep the majority of your team playing. (30 minutes)

 

Session 4

 

Warmup- Skillful footwork, killer moves 5 minutes

 

1) Freeze Tag---In a 20x25 yard space, break up the group into two teams. Everyone must

dribble their soccer ball, but one team tries to tag (freeze) the other team. If they do tag a player

on the other team, that player must freeze, place their ball above their head and spread their legs.

Another player on their team must kick his/her ball through the frozen player’s legs to unfreeze

the teammate. If all players are frozen, game ends and the frozen team becomes the Taggers.

Otherwise, stop game after a few minutes and have teams reverse roles. Variation 1: Coach can

be the freeze monster and try to tag all the players; players continue to unfreeze each other. (6

minutes)

 

2) Gates Passing---Using the same field space as above, use

cones to set up many small goal (gates) approximately 2 yards

wide all around the playing area. Players are now paired up

with one ball and must successfully pass the ball through the

gates to their teammate to earn a point. Players try to

accumulate as many points as possible in the time allotted.

Coach can manipulate the game by requiring the players to pass

only with their left foot, right foot, or the outside of their foot.

(8 minutes)

 

3) Ball Tag---Similar to other tag games except players try to tag others with their soccer ball, by

kicking it at another player’s feet or ball. Have them keep count of how many times they kick

their soccer ball and tag another person. Variation 1: If the players tag the coach, they are

awarded 10 or 20 points. If the players tag other selected players, they can be awarded 50 or 100

points etc. (8 minutes)

 

 

4) Capture the Balls---Set up three or four “home bases”

(squares) with cones roughly 2-3 yards apart. Organize the players into 3-4 teams and have each team get together in their home base. Place all the balls in the center of the space between

the home bases. On the coach’s command the teams are free to gather as many soccer balls as they can into their home base. Players cannot use hands and there is no pushing each other or

sitting/laying on the balls. Teams try to gather as many balls as possible into their home bases. Teams can steal balls from each others’ home bases. Play multiple 2 minute games. When time is

up, the Coach counts the number of soccer balls in each base to determine a winner. Coach allows each team 1 minute to make up a new team strategy before playing again. Field size same as above. (8 minutes)

 

5) Small Sided Scrimmage---In a 20yd x 25yd field, play a 4v4(5v5) match. Set up two fields with a 5 yd space between them in order to keep the majority of your team playing. (30 minutes)

 

Session 5

Warmup- Skillful footwork, killer moves 5 minutes

 

1) Juggling---Everyone with a ball. Hold hands out with ball in between, drop ball directly down

and kick back up to hands, etc. Players practice keeping the ball in the air with feet, thighs, and

head. Players count how many times they touch the ball before it drops to the ground. Variation

1: Controlled juggling…juggle on one thigh, then add other thigh, then add one foot, then add

the other foot…thigh-thigh-foot-foot (6 minutes)

 

2) Free Dribble---In a 20x25 yard space, everyone with a ball, use inside, outside, and sole of

the foot. Have players dribble with speed (outside of foot), change direction, and perform moves.

Coach calls out moves or changes in direction and sets the pace as the manipulator of the session,

kids carry the ball towards someone and try a move. Variation 1: As players get comfortable,

coach can walk around and put pressure on players as they are performing dribbling tasks. This

adds fun and interaction. (8 minutes)

 

3) 1 vs. 1 to Endlines---In a space that is wider than long (15x 20) yards

   each player defends one endline and attacks the

other. Players score by dribbling the ball in control over the opposing player’s endline. Note: Coaches should make multiple 1v1 fields and have 1 or 2 players on deck at each

field. (8 minutes)

 

4) Get “Outta” There---Place two small (2 yard) goals at the end of a field 15 x 10 yards. The coach stands at the halfway line withall of the soccer balls. Half of the players are lined up on his left side and half of the players are lined up on his right side in

different colored bibs. When the coach kicks a ball onto the field, the first player in each line runs out and tries to score on their opponent’s goal. If the ball goes in the goal or out of bounds, the

coach yells “get outta there” and plays a new ball into the field immediately for the next two players. Variation 1: Coach can stop yelling “get outta there” and see if the 1st players in each line

recognize that they should begin play when a new ball is kicked into the field. Variation 2: Coach can vary service of ball. Sometimes play it to one player, sometimes toss the ball up in the air. Variation 3: If the Coach calls out the number “TWO” before he/she kicks a ball on the field, the first 2 players in each line enter the field and play as a team of 2 against each other. (8 minutes)

 

5) Small Sided Scrimmage---In a 20yd x 25yd field, play a 4v4 (5v5) match. Set up two fields with a 5 yd space between them in order to keep the majority of your team playing. (30 minutes)

 

Session 6

 

Warmup- Skillful footwork, killer moves 5 minutes

 

 

 

1) Paint the Field---In a 20x25 yard space, players get a partner and move around the grid, passing their ball back

and forth in the area. At first have each pair in their own grid. You explain to them that their ball is actually a

paintbrush and wherever it rolls on the ground, it paints that area. The task is to paint as much of the area as possible

in the time allotted by passing (kicking) their soccer balls all over the grid. Progressively build this so that players go

from moving slowly in their own grid to having multiple pairs in the same grid moving at a faster pace. Version 2:

Have players use opposite foot. (6 minutes)

 

 

 

2) British Bulldog--- In a 20x25 yard field, each player with a ball.

Players try to dribble from one end of the field to the other, all at once,

without the “bulldog” kicking their ball out of the field. Coach begins the game as the bulldog. Once players ball is kicked out of the field, they become a bulldog with the coach. Players who reach the other end of the

field without having the ball kicked out wait for everyone to collect either as a bulldog or dribbler before game restarts. Variation 1: If players keep their ball close to them, the coach “bulldog” can’t kick their ball out. (8

minutes)

 

 

 

3) Doctor-Doctor---Break team into 2 groups. Send each team into their own hospital (at opposite corners of the

grid). Select a doctor for each team. The doctor will be able to unfreeze (cure) their own players if they are frozen

(injured) by the other team. Each team tries to freeze the other team by kicking their own soccer balls and hitting

either the other team’s soccer balls or someone on the other team below the knee. If a player gets frozen, they must

stay where they are, hold their soccer ball above their head and yell out “Doctor-Doctor”. The doctors do not have a

ball and their role is to rush to the aid of their teammates to unfreeze them, by simply touching them, so they can

continue playing. The Doctor is always safe (cannot be frozen) if standing in their hospital, but once they leave the

hospital and enter the open grid, they can be frozen by the other team. When a Doctor is frozen, the game is over.

Use the same field space as above. (8 minutes)

 

 

 

4) Clean Your Backyard---In a 20x25 yard space, break group

into two teams and have each team stay only on their half of the

field.  Place a 6 yard buffer zone between halves that no one can

enter or cross. Each player needs a ball. Place three small (3yd) goals at the far end of each side of the field. Have both teams shoot balls at the other team’s goals in an attempt to score through any one of the 3 small goals (below knee height). Players can only enter the buffer zone to retrieve a ball that has stopped inside. Otherwise they cannot enter the buffer zone or go into the other team’s half. Balls get recycled naturally in the game. This is a competition and teams need to keep score. Play 2 or 3 games and have teams re-strategize between each game.

Teams can play defense, though no hands allowed. Options:Shots with laces are awarded 2 points. Variation 1: Allow teams to defend with hands as well. Variation 2: Take out the buffer zone and play a normal game except with 3 goals at each end. (8 minutes)

 

 

 

5) Small Sided Scrimmage---In a 20yd x 25yd field, play a 4v4 (5v5) match. Set up two fields with a 5 yd space between them in order to keep the majority of your team playing. (30 minutes)

 

Warmup- Creative Player skillful footwork and killer moves (5 minutes)
Ping Pongs, Squigglies, Pull-Push   across the field-top of the footboth feet, inside/outside-both feet, circle turns, scissor behind and infront, V cutbacks,